Process for processing of existing air vapor mixtures



Jan. 12, 1960 WEAVER ETAL 2,920,946

PROCESS FOR PROCESSING OF EXISTING AIR VAPOR MIXTURES Filed May 17, 19543 Sheets-Sheet 1 l 3 IN VEN TORS 77 Howard/ T Weaver g Jase ah Abe/0WJan. 12, 1960 H. F. WEAVER ET AL 2,920,946

PROCESS FOR PROCESSING OF EXISTING AIR VAPOR MIXTURES Filed May 17, 1954Zia 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS' Howard/ f lA eaver Z Jose/2h Abe/0w Jan.12, 1960 H. F. WEAVER ETAL 2,920,946

PROCESS FOR PROCESSING OF EXISTING AIR VAPOR MIXTURES Filed May 17. 1954s Sheets-Shet s INTEeA/AL COMaUsr dfl Z5; 5 INVENTORS Howard F. Wear/erJose 0h Abe/0w PROCESS FOR PROCESSING OF EXISTING AIR VAPOR MIXTURESHoward F. Weaver, North Miami, Fla., and Joseph Abelow, Manila,Philippines Application May 17, 1954, Serial No. 430,366

1 Claim. (Cl. 48-219) This invention relates to a process of capturing,processing and utilizing the vapors of gasoline or other volatileliquids, and also some gases, which have previously been considered aswaste and were released through ventilator tubes into the atmosphere asa safety measure to prevent the danger resulting from accumulation ofsuch vapors or gases.

United States Patent An object of this invention is to provide a simple,efiicient, inexpensive, automatic, safe apparatus, economical inoperation for the production of a superior and more uniform gaseous fuelfrom gasoline or other volatile liquid as compared to apparatus of theprior art. This apparatus is suitable for domestic as well as industrialor commercial and farm purposes, and requires a minimum of service forcleaning or repairing. The apparatus is versatile so as to meet a largevariety of requirements for generating air-vapor mixtures.

An object of this invention is to provide an apparatus particularlysuited for installation where there are large storage facilities forgasoline, such as filling stations, farms and large commercial orindustrial users where this apparatus is designed to process hithertoWasted vapors using for-this processing the lighter and more volatileends of the gasoline in continuous circulation from a storage tank to aprocessing tank and back to said storage tank again.

Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus thatrecovers the hitherto wasted gasoline vapors from the storage tank. Theair-vapor mixture is drawn from the gasoline storage tank and isenriched by being passed through the liquid fuel circulating or dormantin the processing tank. As a result of this the air-vapor mixture fromthe storage tank will be brought up to a uniform heating value, as agaseous fuel. This same procedure will also apply to the recovery ofother waste gases such as methane gas from sewers and sewage disposalplants and to the treatment of other gases of low calorific value. Theamount of enriched air-vapor mixture produced is automaticallycontrolled by the amount of air-vapor needed by the installationconsuming the gaseous fuel.

The processing tank has a cooling effect on the gasoline passing throughit and being returned to the storage tank. This tends to lower thetemperature of the gasoline in the storage tank which in turn helps tolower the rate of vaporization of all the gasoline in the storage tank.

When the apparatus is attached to a standard gasoline storage tank thereis no interference with the normal or conventional usage of said storagetank by virtue of the attachment of this apparatus. The gasolinetherein, used for said processing-can be sold to the public with noappreciable loss in quality or utility and with only a small depletionin quantity.

Another object of this invention is to produce from the operation of theapparatus a gaseous fuel of uniform heating value suitable for use ininternal combustion engines and the amount of air-vapor produced isautomatically controlled by 'the' intake manifold vacuum of the internalcombustion engine. This apparatus will also produce a gaseous fuel ofuniform heating value suitable for cooking, heating, refrigeration,etc., and for any other purpose for which a combustible gaseous fuel isused, and the amount of air-vapor mixture produced for that purpose willbe controlled by the suction action of a compressor installed for thatpurpose.

If both these consuming facilities are mounted on one apparatus, bothfunctions can be carried on simultaneously, or each facility on theapparatus can be operated separately at a different time, independentlyof the other; or either of these gas consuming facilities can be mountedalone on an apparatus, which will then produce enriched air-vapormixture for only that purpose.

Prior art systems of air-vapor generation are, in general,unsatisfactory. In most systems the gaseous fuel is generated from smallbatches of volatile liquid resulting in a non-uniform fuel, but no knownsystem makes any attempt to process waste fumes from storage tanks,using a continuous flow of gasoline, as in this invention.

An object of this invention is to have one apparatus that is soversatile it can function under almost any and all circumstances underwhich a vapor processing apparatus might be required and will provideair-vapor for almost any purpose that may be required whether for theoperation of internal combustion engines or for cooking, heating,refrigeration, etc., or for any other purpose for which a combustiblegaseous fuel is used. The apparatus will function when operating with alarge storage tank such as used in filling stations. The apparatus willfunction when used with highly volatile hydrocarbons or whether usedwith ordinary gasoline or other hydrocarbons or other volatile liquids.It will also function when recovering waste vapors from gasoline storagetanks or when recovering other similar waste gases of low calorificvalue or of varying calorific value such as methane from sewers orsewage disposal plants, or other combustible gases of low calorificvalue which can be processed in the same manner as vapor from gasolinestorage tanks, i.e. drawn through a processing tank to be uniformlyenriched.

Other objects will be apparent from the following description. Theinvention consists in the novel features hereinafter described indetail, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and more particularlypointed out in the appended claim.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a general elevational view, partly cut away, of one form ofthe improved apparatus for processing vapors for use as a fuel forinternal combustion engine.

Figure 2 is a general elevational view, partly cut away, similar toFigure 1 with the addition of facilities for utilizing the gaseous fuelfor cooking, heating, refrigeration, etc., or for any other purpose forwhich a combustible gaseous fuel is used.

Figure 3 is an elevational view with tank, cut away, and attachments toshow how the apparatus is installed if air-vapor mixture is required forburning, but not for consumption in an internal combustion engine.

Figure 4 is an elevational view, partly cut away, of another form of theapparatus to show how an aspirator can be attached to the liquidcirculating system.

Figure 5 is an elevational view of one formof the agitator coil.

Figure 5a is a plan view of one form of the agitator coil.

Figure 6 is an elevational view to show how two or more processing tankscan be attached to provide a mixture of two or more volatile gases inany proportion.

Figure 7 is a side view to show how a blower can be attached todrawgasoline vapors from storage tanks when the addition of a blower isdesirable.

Figure 8 is an elevational view of a regulator controlling the ratio ofair to air-vapor mixture fed to the carburetor of the internalcombustion engine.

The gasoline is circulated from the storage tank through theprocessingtank and back to the storage tank, in continuous circulation, asfollows:

The gasoline is pumped from storage tank 1 through pipe 2 .past checkvalve 3, through pump 4 into pipe 2a which discharges into processingtank 5. The liquid is in continuous motion in the processing tank 5where it is maintained at a constant level and it is then dischargedthrough outflow pipe 7 and back into storage tank 1. The liquid thusmakes a complete cycle. Where the return flow from processing tank tostorage tank can be accomplished by gravity flow, no pump is needed onoutflow side. If force of gravity is insufficient, a pump must beemployed on pipe 7 to move the gasoline back to storage tank 1.

Where there are several storage tanks and maximum utilization isdesired, the gasoline circulated through the processing tank 5 can bedrawn from the various storage tanks in rotation, using one storage tankfor a stated period of time and then switching to another storage tankand so alternating the use of all the tanks.

In no way does the above interfere with the operation of the storagetank 1 in its conventional and ordinary uses prior to the attachment ofthis apparatus, or in the use of the gasoline as it would normally beused. The conventional means for removing gasoline from the storage tank1 to a dispensing pump, for sale or ordinary use, is not here shown.

The various pieces of equipment mentioned above, such as pump, checkvalve, motor, etc., are conventional items for use in such situations inconnection with the handling of volatile liquids such as gasoline.

When operated under normal conditions the level of gasoline in theprocessing tank 5 will automatically adjust itself to a preset level.One method of accomplishing this is by installing the opening for theoutflow pipe 7 at the desired level. The same may also be accomplishedby installing an adjustable standpipe, not shown, as the outflow pipe.The outflow pipe 7 being substantially larger than the inflow pipe 2,also acts as an automatic safety device to prevent accidental floodingin the case of gravity controlled outflow. When a return pump isemployed, however, a safety control device of conventional design shouldbe installed to prevent accidental flooding.

The level of gasoline in the processing tank must be high enough toensure adequate uniform enrichment of the air-vapor mixture and stillallow enough air space above the liquid level to prevent the liquid frombeing entrained in the air-vapor stream. These factors above depend uponthe size of the installation using this apparatus.

The air-vapor mixture is made richer by raising the level of gasoline inthe processing tank and conversely is made leaner by lowering the levelof the gasoline in the processing tank. The level .is preset at time ofinstallation of apparatus.

When the apparatus is near a large gasoline storage tank it can captureand utilize the gasoline vapors resulting from the natural vaporizationof the gasoline, heretofore wasted and released into the atmospherethrough the storage tank ventilator pipes. These vapors represent aconsiderable economic loss. Also, they contaminate the atmosphere andconstitute a fire hazard. By means of this invention, they will berecaptured to serve virtually as a source of free power since theyutilize vapors not otherwise normally used.

The gasoline vapors are drawn from the storage tank 1 by the partialvacuum in the intake manifold of the internal combustion engine, shownschematically in Fig. 8 and indicated by the numeral 60, attached toregulator T 37. Air from the atmosphere is drawn through air filter 22a,past one way check valve 23, into storage tank 1 replacing vapors drawnfrom across space 24 above the top of the liquid gasoline. The air-vapormixture is drawn through vent pipe 25, through line 26, through agitatorcoil 27, through gasoline in processing tank 5 where the air-vapormixture is uniformly enriched, through pipe 28, into dampener tank 30,through pipe 31, through a flame arrester, not shown, of conventionaldesign through air to air-vapor ratio regulator as shown in Figure 8, tointernal combustion engine, not shown. The dampener tank 30 serves tohomogenize the airvapor mixture and also to settle out any liquidgasoline entrained in the air stream. A return line 56 to bottom ofgenerating tank 5 returns this gasoline automatically.

As shown in Figure 8, the air to air-vapor ratio regulator consists ofvalve 38, T-connection 37, valve 39 and air filter 220. By adjustingvalves 38 and 39 the proportion of air to air-vapor mixture is regulatedaccording to the needs of the internal combustion engine. From the airto air-vapor ratio regulator the mixture goes to the conventionalcarburetor of said engine. The purpose of using the carburetor is toenable the engine to be used with conventional liquid gasoline ifdesired, a petcock being used in the liquid gasoline fuel line of theinternal combustion engine for this purpose although for purposes ofthis invention the conventional carburetor can be eliminated.

In Figure 2 and Figure 3 the uniformly enriched airvapor mixture is alsodrawn through pipe 33, past check valve 29, through compressor 51, intoa conventional pressure storage tank 34, through a gas pressureregulator 54 and pipe 35, through a flame arrester, not shown, ofconventional design, to .the gas burning appliances, not shown.

Where gasoline vapors are available from several storage tanks, all thevent pipes 25 can be joined to pipe 26 so that the hitherto wastedgasoline vapors from all the storage tanks can be captured and utilized.Each storage tank, however, should have an installation similar to theone described herein for the storage tank 1 filler neck, with air filter22a and check valve 23, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

The electrical system controlling the circulation of gasoline throughthe apparatus is the same in all of the figures and operates as follows:

Closing switch 41 activates motor 50 which drives pump 4, circulatingthe gasoline through the generating tank 5. At the same time valve 44.on vent pipe 25a is closed so that the gasoline vapors from storagetank 1 will be drawn through pipes 25 and 26, through agitator coil 27and generating tank 5 as described above. Opening switch 41 de-energizesmotor 50 and opens valve 44 to permit dissipation of gasoline vapors inthe normal manner.

If the apparatus is used intermittently, valve 44 on vent pipe 25a maybe replaced with a one-way check valve that will retain fumes in storagetank 1, so that all the fumes can be recaptured for processing.

The electrical system that controls the operation of compressor 51 andpressure storage tank 34, shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3, operates asfollows:

The action of compressor 51 creates a partial vacuum which draws theenriched air-vapor mixture from processing tank 5, through pipe '33,into pressure storage tank 34. When the enriched air-vapor mixture isused it passes from pressure storage tank 34, through gas regulator 54,pipe 35, through a conventional flame arrester, not shown, to anappliance, not shown, consuming this air-vapor mixture. I

Pressure storage tank 34 has a pressure switch 46 that operates asfollows: There is a high and low setting on pressure switch 46 onpressure tank 34. When the pressure reaches the high setting on pressureswitch 46, the switch 46 opens the circuit, which de-energizescompressor 51. The "remainder of the apparatus, however,

-is made which closes an electrical circuit. Compressor 51 is activatedand enriched air-vapor mixture is again drawn from processing tank Sandpumped into the pressure storage tank 34, through line 33. When thepressure in pressure storage tank 34 is built up to the high pointagain, the pressure switch 46 opens and the entire cycle repeats itselfas described above. The above procedure holds true regardless of thesource of electrical energy.-

The electrical system derives its electricity either from an electricgenerator being driven by the internal combustion engine being driven bythe enriched air-vapors from this apparatus, or from some other sourceofelectrical energy not dependent upon this apparatus such as a publicutility power supply or an independent electrical generating system.

Where the apparatus is installed only for the processing of air-vaporsfor cooking, etc., as shown in Figure 3, it is necessary to have anoutside source of electricity to drive electric motor 50 and compressor51. In such event, switch 41 is moved to automatic position so thatpressure switch 46 automatically controls the operation of the entireelectrical system, as follows: Whenpressure is low, switch 46 closes andcontact is made which closes the electrical circuit. Motor50 andcompressor 51 are activated. When the pressure reaches the high point,switch 46 opens. Both motor 50 and compressor 51 are de-energized. Thecirculation of liquid gasoline ceases and the entire system is dormant.When the pressure reaches the low point again, switch 46 closes and thecycle repeats itself.

Where the apparatus processes air-vapors only for an internal combustionengine, motor 50 can be replaced by an electric motor to be run by theengines battery or by a small gasoline engine, or pump 4 can bebelt-driven by the internal combustion engine itself. This latterprocedure offers several advantages and is particularly desirable whenno source for electricity is readily available.

These variations are not described in detail because they do not affectthe substance of the invention but are merely variations in application.

There are many areas where electricity is available but where gas isexpensive. In such situations, it might be an economy to install anapparatus for processing of enriched air-vapor mixture only for cooking,heating, etc. It is also manifest that this system can be used to supplygas for pipeline distribution in small communities. It merely calls forthe addition of conventional storage and distribution facilities.

The apparatus is versatile and can suit almost any sitnation with slightmodifications, as shown in the various figures.

Figure 3 shows the modifications of the invention when the apparatus isused exclusively for the processing of enriched air-vapor mixture forburning purposes, such as cooking, heating, refrigeration, etc. For suchinstallations, one motor can be used to drive both pump 4 and compressor51, instead of using two motors, and the pressure switch 46 willautomatically control the entire electrical system as described underelectrical system.

Figure 4 shows how an aspirator 59 can be attached to the gasoline pipe2 leading from storage tank 1 to processing tank 5. The vacuum developedby the flow of the gasoline in pipe 2 and aspirator 59 creates suction,drawing the fumes from top of storage tank 1 through pipe 25a, and pipe36 and both liquid and air-vapor mixture then would be fed into pipe 26leading to agitator 27 6 in pro'cessingtank 5. Under certaincircumstances it could be used to replace compressor 51 shown in Figure3, if requirements for air-vapor for burning are not heavy, and theapparatus serves only as described in Figure 3.

Figures 5 and 5a show elevation and plan views respectively ofperforated agitator coil 27. The coil 27 can be of almost any shape ordesign provided that pipe 26 enters the processing tank 5 from above thelevel of the gasoline in the processing tank, to prevent gasolineleaking out pipe 26 or running back to storage tank 1. The same resultmight be accomplished by a check valve.

With this apparatus almost any type of agitator coil will givesatisfacto'ry results. Best results, however, will be obtained when theperforations are small and the total area of perforations issubstantially, greater than the area of opening of line 28 leading tointernal combustion engine. Holes can be from about inch in diameter upto about A; inch in diameter, and should be evenly distributed along thecoil so as to get even distribution of air.

- Holes should be made chiefly along the bottom of the agitator coil toprevent the collection of sediment in the agitator coil. A divertingshield 8, under coil 27, attached to the bottom of the tank 5 serves tokeep the liquid in the bottom of the processing tank tranquil. If thereshould be water or sediment in the gasoline, in the main storage tank 1,some of it will settle out under the diverting shield 8 in theprocessing tank. The processing tank can be cleaned by removing drainplug 57. In this way, the apparatus also serves to improve the gasolinein the storage tank 1.

' Figure'6 shows how it is possible to mix two or more processingsystems, if it should be desired to combine various types of air-vapormixtures. A manifold 33a, with twovor mo're branches, as needed, isattached to each processing tank 5 with valves 32 to control theproportion of each kind of air-vapor mixture entering the final mixture.If it is necessary to obtain a precise final mixture, then meters shouldbe installed on the branches between valves 32 and manifold 33. If onlya small proportion of a particular air-vapor is required for the finalair-vapor mixture, it might be sufiicient to use a simple processingtank containing only pipe 26, agitator 27, and a quantity of volatileliquid, with no provision for circulation of same. This system formixing dilferent air-vapor mixtures can be used in combination with anyof the variatio'ns previously mentioned.

Figure 7 shows how a blower 52 could be installed on line 26 if desired.Although not required on standard installations, at times it would servea useful purpose.

It is a feature of this invention that the quality of the enrichedair-vapor mixture finally obtained is not affected by contaminatedproduct in the liquid storage tank 1. Even if water and/ or dirt arepresent in the storage tank 1 and are pumped into the processing tank 5,the enriched air-vapor mixture produced will be uncontaminated. Asmentioned previously, the processing tank 5 will even serve to clean thegasoline and to remove water and sediment.

By adjusting the level of the gasoline in the processing tank theair-vapo'r mixture for burning can be regulated to any desired calorificvalue within the limits of the system. It will be advisable in mostcases, to adjust the calorific value of the finished mixture to about530 B.t.u. per cubic foot when producing air-vapor for cooking, heating,refrigeration, etc. This air-vapor will then be suitable for burning instandard appliances made by a large number of stove manufacturers whichhave already been adapted for highly efiicient use with butaneaircarbureted gas. The apparatus will deliver uniform calorific quality andthe adjustment can be made at the stove to regulate the properproportio'n of enriched air.- vapor to air. It will be necessary to havea conventional pressure reducing regulator on the finished gas linebefore the point where the gas enters the appliance,

In this apparatus no pressure other than the vapor pressure of thegasoline or liquid fuel is carried in the standard storage tanks used asa source for fuel for this system. Therefore, it is a simple matter toreplenish or remove gasoline from the storage tank, even when theapparatus is running. This is not the case with the majority of gasmachines at the present time, as most of them carry a pressure on theliquid container, which must be released by shutting down the machinebefo're additional fuel can be poured into the underground tank. In thecase of large restaurants and semi-industrial users, this periodicinterruption of gas service is a serious handicap, and for smallcustomers it can be an annoyance.

Economies are effected by using air-vapor rather than liquid gasoline,even without recovery of hitherto wasted vapors, because the utilizationis more complete when the .fuel is in an air-vapor state as compared tothe liquid state. To the extent that the hitherto wasted vapors areutilized, this apparatus actually provides free power. Accumulation ofcarbon in the engine is practically eliminated and the oil dilution isminimized, so that the oil remains clean and retains its lubricatingqualities for a longer period compared to use of liquid gasoline.

The apparatus and method described herein can be applied to volatileliquids other than gasoline, which is constantly referred to hereinbecause it is the most widely available volatile liquid, and it isdesired to be understood that it is intended to employ this apparatuswith any or all of the hydrocarbons and their mixtures, and this apparatus will also be employed for the recovery of waste fumes and gasessuch as methane, etc., hitherto lost into the atmosphere or processed byany other method, and to enrich other gases of insufficient calorificvalue to be combustible.

We claim:

A process for capturing and utilizing waste gasoline vapors from :largestorage tanks by uniformly enriching already existing air-vapor mixturesin said storage tanks comprising continuous circulation of volatileliquid from said storage tank, through a processing tank consisting of asingle chamber having an unobstructed interior, and back to said storagetank while maintaining a constant liquid level in said processing tankand an unobstructed air vapor space above said liquid level saidunobstructed air vapor space comprising about two-thirds of the totalvolume of said processing tank, drawing an air-vapor mixture from thetop of said storage tank into the bottom of said processing tank throughsaid liquid, forming a uniformly enriched air-vapor mixture, out the topof said processing tank into a homogenizing dampener tank withunobstructed interior containing a gravity flow liquid return line tosaid processing tank, through a T regulator controlling the proportionof air to air-vapor mixture, said regulator being joined to a stationaryinternal combustion engine, the vacuum produced by the said internalcombustion engine serving to draw the air-vapor mixture through saidvapor processing system.

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